For the love of English 3 speeds...
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I don't imagine there's an easy way to shift the crown race on my Rudge fork up a couple inches, but I figure it's worth asking. (So I could raise the chrome cap to paint over the rusted spots.)
Bikes are okay, I guess.
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Man, this could be worse than a tire thread. If the bag is in good shape it would be worth a little trouble and expense to make it usable again. Others will say toss it, and others still will suggest you toss it their way.
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Also took it out for the maiden voyage this morning. Need some adjustment on the shift cable tension.
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Edit: LOL or just send it my way
Last edited by FBOATSB; 04-03-21 at 02:32 PM.
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That is actually a damn good idea. I just had my wifes 3-pin cross country ski boots fixed at a local shoe repair/tailor shop. I have a bag that needs repair and I think I'll ask them for a price.
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This thread is dangerous. I'm already really considering @Ged117's Superbe to finally pacify my fetish for a green 1950's full-chaincase Superbe, and now all these early 1980's Sports showing up make me want to modernize another one.
Incidentally, has anyone ever seen a 1980's Sports with a 25 inch frame? The '80 and '81 catalog show both 24" and 25" frames as part of the lineup. I've seen a Sprite from this era in that size, but not a Sports.
-Kurt
Incidentally, has anyone ever seen a 1980's Sports with a 25 inch frame? The '80 and '81 catalog show both 24" and 25" frames as part of the lineup. I've seen a Sprite from this era in that size, but not a Sports.
-Kurt
Bikes are okay, I guess.
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This thread is dangerous. I'm already really considering @Ged117's Superbe to finally pacify my fetish for a green 1950's full-chaincase Superbe, and now all these early 1980's Sports showing up make me want to modernize another one.
Incidentally, has anyone ever seen a 1980's Sports with a 25 inch frame? The '80 and '81 catalog show both 24" and 25" frames as part of the lineup. I've seen a Sprite from this era in that size, but not a Sports.
-Kurt
Incidentally, has anyone ever seen a 1980's Sports with a 25 inch frame? The '80 and '81 catalog show both 24" and 25" frames as part of the lineup. I've seen a Sprite from this era in that size, but not a Sports.
-Kurt
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lol I don’t need to start a big debate, just looking for honest opinions. Here’s the bag, in good shape, thinking a couple new straps and I would be good to go. Guess I’ll get some quotes.
Also took it out for the maiden voyage this morning. Need some adjustment on the shift cable tension.
Also took it out for the maiden voyage this morning. Need some adjustment on the shift cable tension.
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There's a half dozen used bike guys around here with rows of beach cruisers and old three speeds for sale and nothing seems to move.
All last year I listed about 8 bikes, two sold, one was a Sprite 27 the other a Schwinn Collegiate 5 speed. I had a pair of what looked to be never ridden Raleigh LTD models in 23" frames that Iisted for $200 obo all year, One finally sold to someone who drove here from Virginia, the other sold to someone who was here visiting relatives over the holidays.
There doesn't seem to be any shortage of bikes here at all. The only issues lately have been getting parts, mainly tires. The cost of tires has gone up 5 to 7 times what they were before last spring. That cost increase seems to mostly be at the dealer level because the wholesale prices haven't gone up nearly as much, some not at all with minor back order issues.
What I've run into locally is dealers who won't stock or order vintage tire sizes, they will only order one at a time which ads shipping charges to every order.
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I'm a couple hours out of NYC and about an hour out of Philly, there's bikes all over for sale that don't sell, even for cheap.
There's a half dozen used bike guys around here with rows of beach cruisers and old three speeds for sale and nothing seems to move.
All last year I listed about 8 bikes, two sold, one was a Sprite 27 the other a Schwinn Collegiate 5 speed. I had a pair of what looked to be never ridden Raleigh LTD models in 23" frames that Iisted for $200 obo all year, One finally sold to someone who drove here from Virginia, the other sold to someone who was here visiting relatives over the holidays.
There doesn't seem to be any shortage of bikes here at all. The only issues lately have been getting parts, mainly tires. The cost of tires has gone up 5 to 7 times what they were before last spring. That cost increase seems to mostly be at the dealer level because the wholesale prices haven't gone up nearly as much, some not at all with minor back order issues.
What I've run into locally is dealers who won't stock or order vintage tire sizes, they will only order one at a time which ads shipping charges to every order.
There's a half dozen used bike guys around here with rows of beach cruisers and old three speeds for sale and nothing seems to move.
All last year I listed about 8 bikes, two sold, one was a Sprite 27 the other a Schwinn Collegiate 5 speed. I had a pair of what looked to be never ridden Raleigh LTD models in 23" frames that Iisted for $200 obo all year, One finally sold to someone who drove here from Virginia, the other sold to someone who was here visiting relatives over the holidays.
There doesn't seem to be any shortage of bikes here at all. The only issues lately have been getting parts, mainly tires. The cost of tires has gone up 5 to 7 times what they were before last spring. That cost increase seems to mostly be at the dealer level because the wholesale prices haven't gone up nearly as much, some not at all with minor back order issues.
What I've run into locally is dealers who won't stock or order vintage tire sizes, they will only order one at a time which ads shipping charges to every order.
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I am startled to hear this. I think last summer's bike shortage here actually got some national news coverage. You couldn't find a bike to buy, new or used. Bike shops were open as essential businesses but after April or May supply disappeared. People in lockdown, or "lockdown," had more leisure time and wanted to go riding, and people who had to go to work wanted to avoid public transit (no connection between riding the buses or subways and Covid was ever established). Vintage three-speeds were pricey before the pandemic. I'm always embarrassed to mention here what I paid for my two.
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Bought a couple Chinese tires by CST in 26x1-3/8, online. Model name is Classic Breaker. A terrible name. I have no idea what's up with that. I don't want a tire that breaks my classic. But so far so good. I'd bought some Kendas I liked from Harris, but they were a limited purchase and were all gone when I needed a couple new tires. The Schwalbe blackwall Delta Cruisers, there were none to buy. I wish Panaracer would offer the Ribmo in this size.
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I'm a couple hours out of NYC and about an hour out of Philly, there's bikes all over for sale that don't sell, even for cheap.
There's a half dozen used bike guys around here with rows of beach cruisers and old three speeds for sale and nothing seems to move.
All last year I listed about 8 bikes, two sold, one was a Sprite 27 the other a Schwinn Collegiate 5 speed. I had a pair of what looked to be never ridden Raleigh LTD models in 23" frames that Iisted for $200 obo all year, One finally sold to someone who drove here from Virginia, the other sold to someone who was here visiting relatives over the holidays.
There doesn't seem to be any shortage of bikes here at all. The only issues lately have been getting parts, mainly tires. The cost of tires has gone up 5 to 7 times what they were before last spring. That cost increase seems to mostly be at the dealer level because the wholesale prices haven't gone up nearly as much, some not at all with minor back order issues.
What I've run into locally is dealers who won't stock or order vintage tire sizes, they will only order one at a time which ads shipping charges to every order.
There's a half dozen used bike guys around here with rows of beach cruisers and old three speeds for sale and nothing seems to move.
All last year I listed about 8 bikes, two sold, one was a Sprite 27 the other a Schwinn Collegiate 5 speed. I had a pair of what looked to be never ridden Raleigh LTD models in 23" frames that Iisted for $200 obo all year, One finally sold to someone who drove here from Virginia, the other sold to someone who was here visiting relatives over the holidays.
There doesn't seem to be any shortage of bikes here at all. The only issues lately have been getting parts, mainly tires. The cost of tires has gone up 5 to 7 times what they were before last spring. That cost increase seems to mostly be at the dealer level because the wholesale prices haven't gone up nearly as much, some not at all with minor back order issues.
What I've run into locally is dealers who won't stock or order vintage tire sizes, they will only order one at a time which ads shipping charges to every order.
My neigbour gave me her not so old box store bike last week and I said I'd fix it up and find a suitable home for it.
What a piece of junk! Rusted fasteners/chain, cables all siezed, front suspension siezed , seat post stuck etc.
She did leave it outside.
The quality of British chrome is amazing.
The new/crap bikes are already rusting on the showroom floor.....
Bikes are okay, I guess.
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I did some dumpster diving at the co-op this week and came home with some 26 x 1 3/8" Continental City Ride tires as spares for my Sports. Knew about this tire but had no idea it was available in this size, so it might be worth your consideration. Labeled as "Puncture Protection" and they have reflective strips on the sidewalls. I looked them up online and they're available--whatever that means these days--from several sources and they're reasonably priced.
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I did some dumpster diving at the co-op this week and came home with some 26 x 1 3/8" Continental City Ride tires as spares for my Sports. Knew about this tire but had no idea it was available in this size, so it might be worth your consideration. Labeled as "Puncture Protection" and they have reflective strips on the sidewalls. I looked them up online and they're available--whatever that means these days--from several sources and they're reasonably priced.
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A pair of his and hers @ $600.00
These often tend to be lightly used.
Bought to get in shape, ridden for a month or so and
then relegated to the basement...
These often tend to be lightly used.
Bought to get in shape, ridden for a month or so and
then relegated to the basement...
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Good. I always start with tapping a sharp knife blade around it until you can get a safe purchase with a screwdriver. Never destroyed a fork or crown, yet anyway. Tap them back down with the appropriately sized pvc or copper pipe.
Bikes are okay, I guess.
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You did great. The Contis were on my Sports when I bought it at least six years ago and I ride the bike around the city a lot. I replaced them with the CSTs last week. The Contis still had plenty of tread, but were so soft I was starting to get a lot of flats.
Bikes are okay, I guess.
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23" ladies' frame, rare nameplate, ancient baby seat, FIFTY bucks. What's not to like?
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...49998259555406
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...49998259555406
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The same people I know who (no mistake have limited means) will gab about the vacation they've just booked, the latest gaming console they ordered on the first day, the new car someone in the family has just bought, and the new, larger TV each year, are shocked and annoyed that a good bike will set them back around $700. It must drive bike shop owners nuts.
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The same people I know who (no mistake have limited means) will gab about the vacation they've just booked, the latest gaming console they ordered on the first day, the new car someone in the family has just bought, and the new, larger TV each year, are shocked and annoyed that a good bike will set them back around $700. It must drive bike shop owners nuts.
Of course I'd rather spend $100 on a vintage 3 speed and another $100 fixing it up.
But fixing things is currently out of style.